Exosome transfer between pancreatic-cancer cells is associated with metastasis in a nude-mouse model

Abstract

Background/Aim: Cancer-derived exosomes play an important role in metastasis. In the present study, we determined whether exosome transfer between cancer cells is associated with metastasis in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: AsPC-1 human pancreatic-cancer cells expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) and AsPC-1 human pancreatic-cancer cells transduced by exosome-specific pCTCD63-green fluorescent protein (GFP), were co-injected into the spleen of nude mice. Results: Both pancreatic-cancer cell lines grew in the spleen and metastasized to the liver, peritoneum, and lungs, as shown by color-coded imaging. The ratio of GFP-expressing exosomes incorporated in RFPlabeled AsPC-1 cells was statistically-significantly higher in the liver, lung, and peritoneal metastases than in the spleen. Conclusion: Exosome transfer between cancer cells is associated with metastasis. Exosome transfer may play a role in increasing the metastatic capability of the recipient cells.